Six industry professionals are preparing to battle for ultimate bragging rights in the winner-takes-all Engineers v Lawyers Mock Debate.
The teams are locked in, and the countdown is on to the third annual Engineers v Lawyers Mock Debate, hosted by Sequana and Helix.
Six industry professionals have stepped up to put their reputations – and debating skills – on the line.
Representing Team Engineers will be Toby Chalmers, General Manager – Engineering at IPS, a Sequana company; John-Ryan Davis, Senior Project Manager at WGA; and making a comeback from last year – Tim Dempsey-Jones, Senior Project Engineer at Sequana.
Facing off against them for Team Lawyers will be Monique Walker, Law Clerk at Helix Legal; Sophie Port, Law Graduate at Helix Legal; and Merissa Martinez, Barrister at Paloma Chambers.
The six speakers will go head-to-head at The Brisbane Club on Tuesday 18 August in the deciding contest of a rivalry that is locked at one-all following an engineers’ victory in 2024 and a lawyers’ victory last year.
This year’s topic asks:
“Brisbane 2032 Olympics – a State’s crowning jewel or an unnecessary distraction?”
Team Engineers will argue that the Games represent a golden opportunity for Queensland, while Team Lawyers have been handed the task of convincing the audience that they are an unnecessary distraction.
With a great mix of people taking part, guests can expect plenty of strong arguments, humour and the professional rivalry that has made the first two debates so entertaining.
The engineers will be doing whatever it takes to avoid handing the lawyers back-to-back victories, while Team Lawyers will no doubt be fired up to claim the decider and ultimate bragging rights.
Returning to preside over the showdown will be Queensland Major Contractors Association Chief Executive Officer, Andrew ‘Chappy’ Chapman, who once again faces the unenviable task of keeping the arguments, professional point-scoring and occasional cheap shots under control.
The free event brings together Brisbane’s engineering, legal, infrastructure and business communities for an evening of spirited debate, networking and plenty of laughs.
Will the shovel or the gavel claim the decider? Come along, choose your side and help pick the winner.
Event details
Date: Tuesday 18 August 2026
Time: 5.30pm arrival for a 6.00pm start
Location: Edinburgh Room, The Brisbane Club, Suite 3/241 Adelaide Street, Brisbane City
Cost: Free, registration required
Register here for your free tickets!
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